Identifying and Analyzing Security Threats to Virtualized Cloud Computing Infrastructures

A multi-tenant Cloud Computing Infrastructure (CCI) consists of several Virtual Machines (VMs) running on same physical platform by using virtualization techniques. The VMs are monitored and managed by kernel based software i.e. Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM) or hypervisor which is main component of Virtualized Cloud Computing Infrastructure (VCCI). Due to software based vulnerabilities, VMMs are compromised to security attacks that may take place from inside or outside attackers. In order to formulate a secure VCCI, VMM must be protected by implementing strong security tools and techniques such as Encryption and Key Management (EKM), Access Control Mechanisms (ACMs), Intrusion Detection Tools (IDTs), Virtual Trusted Platform Module (vTPM), Virtual Firewalls (VFs) and Trusted Virtual Domains (TVDs). In this research paper we describe the techniques of virtualizing a CCI, types of attacks on VCCI, vulnerabilities of VMMs and we critically describe the significance of security tools and techniques for securing a VCCI.